#7 Syracuse Bounces Back With 3-0 Win At Virginia Tech

Friday, September 30

Blacksburg, VA

6 PM

Syracuse University

8-1-1, 3-1-0

Virginia Tech

1-8-1, 0-4-0

Syracuse

Virginia Tech

Photo by: Virginia Tech Athletic Communications

#7 Syracuse Bounces Back With 3-0 Win At Virginia Tech

9/30/2022 9:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, VA. – No. 7 Syracuse men's soccer rebounded from its first loss of the season with a dominant 3-0 road win over Virginia Tech. The result marks the first victory against the Hokies since 2016.

The match was defined by an excellent showing from the Orange on both sides. A back line of Abdi Salim, Buster Sjoberg and Olu Oyegunle produced another spectacular defensive showcase. They shutout the Hokies attack and redshirt senior goalkeeper Russell Shealy was vital in keeping Virginia Tech off the score sheet.

Syracuse's attack was lively and clinical in Blacksburg. A mix of explosive counterattacking and stylish build-up play led to three goals on the night. Sophomore midfielder Giona Leibold opened the scoring in the 28^th minute, while Noah Singelmann and Nathan Opoku struck in the second half to put the match away.

"We knew this was always going to be a very difficult match with the conditions, but I thought the guys responded excellently," Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre said after the match. "Any time you get three ACC points on the road it's a big night. The guys worked so hard to keep a clean sheet."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Despite slippery conditions brought on by rain, both sides traded possession and scoring opportunities to open the match. Virginia Tech (1-8-1, 0-4-0 ACC) forced Shealy to make two key saves in the first five minutes. After settling in, the Orange were able to maintain possession and find chances on the counterattack.

Syracuse (8-1-1, 3-1-0 ACC) grabbed the lead in the 28^th minute of the match. After conceding a corner, Levonte Johnson took control of the clearance. The Brampton, Ontario native turned quickly and dribbled past a Virginia Tech defender to set up a two-on-two with Leibold. Johnson laid the ball off for Leibold, who put the ball past Virginia Tech goalkeeper Ben Martino with a low shot. The goal represents Leibold's second of the season, while Johnson now leads the Orange in assists with five.

The Orange kept increasing the pressure on the Hokies, coming close to doubling the advantage in the final ten minutes of the first half. Christian Curti had one header saved by Martino, while his second chance was just wide of the net.
'Cuse outshot Virginia Tech 12-4 in the first half. The Orange also took nine corners, which is the most in a half this season.

In the early stages of the second half, Virginia Tech found more chances with high pressing. After a miscue from the Orange defense, Hokie midfielder Conor Pugh was one-on-one with Shealy. Pugh hit a strike towards the right side of the net, but Shealy came up with a massive save to preserve the one-goal advantage.

After the flurry of Virginia Tech chances, Syracuse regained possession thanks to excellent midfield play from senior Amferny Sinclair and sophomore Curt Calov.

The Orange found a second goal in the 64^th minute with direct and fluid build-up play. Veteran midfielder Colin Biros controlled possession in the middle of the pitch and fired a pass to Curti out on the wing. The Canadian midfielder took a touch and crossed the ball into the box. Singelmann finished the chance off for his first goal of the season.

Syracuse secured the three points in the 84^th minute of action. Sinclair won the ball and sparked a counterattack by passing the ball wide to Camden Holbrook. The senior midfielder found sophomore forward Nathan Opoku in the box with a pinpoint cross. The Accra, Ghana native converted the chance and put the match out of Virginia Tech's reach.

The Orange outshot the Hokies 21-11 and finished with 11 corners taken compared to five. Shealy recorded four saves.

OF NOTE:

The 3-0 victory over Virginia marks the 8^th win of the season, which matches last season's win total. The 2021 squad finished with an 8-8-2 record.

Syracuse is 8-1-1 through 10 matches. That matches the best start to a season since 2016.

The Orange are 4-0-1 on the road this season. They have a +11-goal difference away from the SU Soccer Stadium this season.

'Cuse kept its seventh clean sheet of the season, which leads the nation.

Sinclair returned to the starting XI after missing the loss against Virginia.

Singelmann scored his first goal of the season. He led the Orange in points with 10 in the 2020-21 season.

Opoku leads the team in scoring with four goals.

Johnson leads the team in assists with five.

Curti made his 60^th career collegiate start.

UP NEXT:

Syracuse comes back to the SU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 4 for a 7 p.m. match against Upstate New York rival Cornell. A two-day break is followed by a massive home showdown with current No. 1 ranked Wake Forest on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Both matches will be streaming on ACCNX. Admission to matches at the SU Soccer Stadium is free.